DIYtherPad
August 27, 2010 3:47 AM Subscribe
I'd like to set up my own installation of EtherPad for a course I'm teaching, but...
...my web host (Dreamhost) doesn't support Java. Oh, and I don't know the first thing about Java.
So it's a two-part question: (a) are there any reasonably low-cost web hosts that will support EtherPad (both in terms of server configuration and available RAM etc), and (b) given my limitations on the financial, geeky, and time fronts, is it even worth my time to try to set EtherPad up myself, or should I just go with something externally hosted like TitanPad or the like?
Actually, let's add a (c) (if it's not too much): Are there any decent non-Java alternatives to EtherPad? Something that I'd be able to run on Dreamhost? I've looked at a few of the collaborative environments out there (and am running Google Apps for other things), but the big appeals of EtherPad for me, given that I'll be using it in a classroom where we'll be working and collaboratively editing a consensus translation of a text, are the real-time color-coded updates and the time slider. I haven't seen those implemented anywhere else, but I'd love to know about it if I'm missing something.
...my web host (Dreamhost) doesn't support Java. Oh, and I don't know the first thing about Java.
So it's a two-part question: (a) are there any reasonably low-cost web hosts that will support EtherPad (both in terms of server configuration and available RAM etc), and (b) given my limitations on the financial, geeky, and time fronts, is it even worth my time to try to set EtherPad up myself, or should I just go with something externally hosted like TitanPad or the like?
Actually, let's add a (c) (if it's not too much): Are there any decent non-Java alternatives to EtherPad? Something that I'd be able to run on Dreamhost? I've looked at a few of the collaborative environments out there (and am running Google Apps for other things), but the big appeals of EtherPad for me, given that I'll be using it in a classroom where we'll be working and collaboratively editing a consensus translation of a text, are the real-time color-coded updates and the time slider. I haven't seen those implemented anywhere else, but I'd love to know about it if I'm missing something.
Is there a reason why you want it on your own server? Other people are hosting EtherPad installs (like typewith.me)
On Preview: uh, and at roue's link too... :)
posted by misterbrandt at 8:55 AM on August 27, 2010
On Preview: uh, and at roue's link too... :)
posted by misterbrandt at 8:55 AM on August 27, 2010
Response by poster: I want a local installation mostly just to be sure that the data doesn't get deleted. It's not a dealbreaker by any means - I've got a pad set up at TitanPad in case a local install isn't possible - but since this is for a class rather than for myself, I'd like to have more of a guarantee that the whole thing isn't going to go down if someone forgets to pay the hosting bill/overtaxes the server/loses interest.
posted by bokane at 1:43 AM on August 28, 2010
posted by bokane at 1:43 AM on August 28, 2010
Best answer: I checked my webhost's (they're a great, affordable shared server host, fyi) forum to see what was being said, and I found this:
What sort of IT support do you have where you are teaching? Might there be some server space on campus? A friendly IT person? A CS student who wants to tinker?
posted by misterbrandt at 11:51 AM on August 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
I haven't seen anyone install Etherpad on our servers, mostly because of the incredibly high memory usage. Looking through most of the docs online about it a good 256MB of RAM is needed to get it to function correctly. Also, most of the documentation I am seeing requires you to be the root user, which you can get around, however, you would need to be pretty familiar with the Java and Scala options for configuring it outside of the normal directories on the server. (link)I found these installation instructions for installing on a local Linux machine. Looks somewhat hairy. YMMV. I would think that to have a server environment that would support etherpad, you would probably need to look at a VPS like SliceHost or similar for the RAM and ability to run as root, and then have the skills to get it all installed properly.
What sort of IT support do you have where you are teaching? Might there be some server space on campus? A friendly IT person? A CS student who wants to tinker?
posted by misterbrandt at 11:51 AM on August 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks very much for the links. That does look a bit above my pay grade. IT support, unfortunately, is not really going to be available: internet connectivity was completely down during the first class I taught on Wednesday, and since we're in China almost nobody hosts on anything but Windows boxes. Sounds like hosting it elsewhere might be the better option after all.
posted by bokane at 7:27 PM on August 28, 2010
posted by bokane at 7:27 PM on August 28, 2010
"internet connectivity was completely down during the first class I taught on Wednesday"Well, that would be problematic if you are relying on EtherPad for your class. :)
Here are instructions to install on a Windows machine (via Cygwin). Might be worth a shot?
posted by misterbrandt at 7:54 PM on August 28, 2010
Response by poster: Oh, awesome. I'll give that a try too. Am also taking a look at SliceHost and trying to decide whether or not I'm committed enough to pay for my own server. Many thanks!
posted by bokane at 8:18 PM on August 28, 2010
posted by bokane at 8:18 PM on August 28, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by roue at 4:55 AM on August 27, 2010